A speaker said water regulators might next focus their attention on water wells as concern over nitrates in drinking water continues, and another talked of regulations on employers that make it important to take certain steps to maintain a productive and motivated workforce.

Amy Wolfe, president and CEO of AgSafe, pointed to new regulations taking effect this year governing workers and the fact there are 11 federal agencies that regulate employment. She said it is important to have a job description, however brief, that outlines worker expectations.

She said it needs to be updated regularly and reviewed at the time of hiring.

“A half page with bullet points is enough,” she said.

The documenting of job descriptions, she said, is part of the Fair Pay Act that took effect Jan. 1 this year.

Among its provisions is that employers cannot pay a different rate for the same work in situations that include regions that differ in the cost of living. For example, an employer cannot pay less to a worker in Kerman than the worker in Paso Robles because Paso Robles has a higher cost of living.

The act forbids any kind of discrimination against workers – whether based on gender or location. It goes further to say that workers can talk among themselves about how much they make, comparing notes.

“They can go to the boss and say, “Joe is making more money than me,” Wolfe said. “We’re doing the same job. I am a woman.”